Gripper for a draping frame and for a device, draping frame, device and method for the forming of and/or covering using a film element, system for manufacturing a moulded part or a covered component, method for retro-fitting a device of this type, method for manuf acturing a covered component

ABSTRACT

A gripper is disclosed for a draping frame having a gripper chassis and at least two opposing mutually movable gripper jaw elements for gripping a film element. The gripper jaw elements are provided on a gripper head part of the gripper. The gripper head part of the gripper is movably mounted, at least with one degree of freedom, relative to the gripper chassis.

The invention relates to a gripper for a draping frame with a gripperchassis and with at least two opposing and mutually movable gripper jawelements for gripping a film element.

The invention also relates to a gripper for a draping frame having atleast two opposing and mutually movable gripper jaw elements forgripping a film element.

The invention further relates to a gripper for a device for formingand/or laminating a film element, in particular for a draping frame,having at least two gripper jaw elements which are located opposite oneanother and are movable relative to one another for gripping the filmelement.

The invention further relates to a draping frame for forming and/orlaminating a film element.

The invention also relates to a device for forming and/or laminating afilm element having a plurality of grips and having a forming tool or alaminating tool in which the forming tool or laminating tool comprises alower tool and an upper tool.

The invention also relates to a device, on the one hand, for formingand/or laminating a film element, having a frame part which comprises aplurality of grips, and having a forming tool or a laminating tool,wherein the forming tool or the laminating tool (51) comprises a lowertool and an upper tool.

On the other hand, the invention relates to a device for forming and/orlaminating a film element with a tool, comprising an exchangeable lowertool and an exchangeable upper tool, which can be exchangeable for aproduct change. 51

The invention further relates to a device for forming and/or laminatinga film element on a carrier part to be laminated.

The invention also relates to a device for laminating a film element ona carrier part, having grippers for gripping the film element, having acarrier part receptacle for holding the carrier part relative to thefilm element, and having a laminating room, in which the film element islaminated onto the carrier part.

The invention further relates to a system for producing a molded and/orlaminated component having at least one processing line and having adevice for forming and/or laminating a film element.

The invention further relates to a system for producing a molded and/orlaminated component having an input side, having an output side, havingat least one processing line between the input side and the output side,and a device for forming and/or laminating a film element.

The invention further relates to a method for forming and/or laminatinga film element, wherein the film element is inserted into open grippersand subsequently gripped by the grippers, and in which the film elementis also brought into operative contact with a molded part or with acarrier part to be laminated.

The invention also relates to a method for converting a device forforming and/or laminating a film element, wherein the tool is replacedfor converting the device to another product, whereby the upper tooland/or the lower tool are replaced.

The invention further relates to a method for forming and/or laminatinga film element on a carrier part, wherein the film element and thecarrier part are positioned relative to one another for forming and/orlaminating.

The invention relates to a method for producing a laminated componentfrom a film element and a carrier part, wherein the film element islaminated onto the carrier part on a laminating device, and in which thelaminated component is subsequently removed from the laminating deviceand made available for further processing.

In particular, devices for forming and/or laminating a film onto amolded part or a carrier part to be laminated are known from the priorart. Such devices usually comprise a clamping frame by means of whichthe film is stretched in relation to the molded part or the carrier partto be laminated in a film plane, wherein, for example, the molded partor the carrier part to be laminated is then moved through the film planein order to form or laminate the film.

For example, the European patent application EP 2 397 308 A2 provides adevice for stretching and shaping a film blank with such a clampingframe, in which this film blank is clamped between an upper clampingframe and a lower clamping frame of a clamping frame, and is thus heldrelative to a forming tool. The clamping frame can be adjustedtranslationally in the x-, y- and z-direction, i. e. along three spatialaxes, and can additionally be rotated around a fixed point, i.e. aboutexactly one spatial axis, in order to ensure that the film blank slidesafter forming.

DE 699 09 835 D2 also contains a machine for stretching and vacuumforming a rectangular sheet of plastic material, the machine comprisinga clamping frame consisting of four clamping strips, by means of whichone edge of the rectangular plastic panel can be clamped at a time.Here, two terminal strips are opposite each other in pairs, wherein eachterminal strip comprises a plurality of second clamping devices. Thesesecond clamping devices are mounted on each terminal strip and can movealong the terminal strip length with a low friction coefficient alongthe respective terminal strip, wherein they are pulled behind by thematerial plate. In this respect, the second clamping devices moveproportionally to the movement of the clamping strips in order tocounteract edge distortions.

In such clamping frames, considerable tensile forces often act on thefilm, which can lead to unfavorable, undesirable film elongation undercertain circumstances, in particular in curved, bent or undercut areasof the molded part or the carrier part.

Such film elongation can lead to considerable loss of optical quality,especially for films with high-quality, grained or similar valuablesurfaces.

In order to avoid or at least mitigate disadvantages in this respect,clamping frames with individual grippers already exist, which grip thefilm at its edges and then pull over the molded part or the carrier partto be laminated. Such grippers can be used to counteract the risk ofundesirably large film stretching.

The aim of the invention is to further develop generic devices,components or component groups thereof, or systems comprising such adevice, and corresponding methods. In particular, the aim of theinvention is to produce molded and/or laminated components of a higherquality or at least equivalent quality, despite saving in film material.

The aim of the invention is achieved according to a first aspect by agripper for a device for forming and/or laminating a film element, inparticular for a draping frame, with a gripper chassis and with at leasttwo opposite and mutually movable two gripper jaw elements for grippinga film element, wherein the two gripper jaw elements are arranged on agripper head part of the gripper, and wherein the gripper head part ofthe gripper is movably mounted with respect to the gripper chassis atleast one degree of freedom.

Due to the additional gripper head part, which is movable in relation tothe gripper chassis, the film element can be positioned in an even moredifferentiated manner by means of the grippers in relation to a moldedpart or a carrier part to be laminated, whereby the risk of excessivefilm stretching is significantly reduced.

In other words, this means that the gripper head part can be moved inthe room, in particular in a draping room or laminating room,independently of a movement of the gripper chassis.

This is particularly advantageous with regard to ever more newlydesigned and ever more complexly shaped components.

Particularly in the automotive sector, laminated components withincreasingly complex designs and surfaces are being created, such asinterior door panels, armrests, seat backs and other automotive interiortrim parts.

By means of the invention proposed herein, in particular, laminatedcomponents of this kind can be produced in a material-saving manner, butnevertheless of high quality, and cost-effective.

At this point it should be mentioned that the terms “laminating”,“laminating on”, “laminating to” or the like are used synonymously.

In particular, the gripper for gripping the film element can slide intoa “bent portion” of the film element and grip the film element there,whereby a further reduction of the required cutting of the film elementcan be achieved.

In the sense of the invention, the term “gripper” describes a device bymeans of which the film element, in particular the edges of the filmelement, can be gripped and held in an operationally reliable manner.

For secure gripping, the gripper has at least two opposing gripper jawelements that are movable relative to each other.

The gripper jaw elements design two gripping surface parts which can bedisplaced relative to one another, by means of which different grippingforces or holding forces can also be exerted on the film element to begripped.

For example, the grippers can cumulatively or alternatively comprisealso a suction device in order to grip the film element according to thepresent invention.

However, the present gripper is particularly characterized by a gripperchassis on which the gripper jaw elements are not directly rigidlyarranged except for their gripping movement possibilities, but on whicha gripper head part carrying the gripper jaw elements is arranged in anarticulated manner, which is interposed between the gripper chassis andthe gripper chassis.

The gripper head part is articulated to the gripper chassis in such away that the gripper head part has at least one degree of freedom withrespect to the gripper chassis, while the gripper chassis itself hasseveral, preferably six or more, degrees of freedom on a frame part orthe like.

For example, gripper jaw elements can also perform a rolling movementabout the longitudinal axis of the gripper jaw elements in order to beable to drape or position the film element in a more differentiatedmanner in relation to the carrier part in certain areas, before theactual lamination process starts with a differential pressure. In thiscase, the rolling movement can be carried out independently of amovement of the gripper chassis.

Here, the gripper chassis may comprise all necessary adjustmentmechanisms for adjusting, in particular, for spatial adjustment, thegripper, including translation, rotation, pivot axes or the like, or adrive motor or several such drive motors for driving the gripper.

In particular, the actual, mutually movable gripper jaw elements are notattached directly to the gripper chassis, but only indirectly, with theinclusion or intermediate connection of the gripper head part.

This means that the gripper jaw elements, which are movable relative toeach other, are mounted on the gripper head part; and the gripper headpart is movably mounted on the gripper chassis.

In the context of the invention, the term “film element” preferablydescribes a prefabricated film, i. e. a film blank which iscorrespondingly tailored to the molded part or the carrier part to belaminated.

The film element can also be present as an inherently rigid plateelement or the like.

The film element can also be realized by a wide variety of materials, soit can also be defined in particular by air-permeable materials, whichare also used in press lamination in particular.

In a suitable embodiment of the invention, it is also conceivable to usefilms in the form of a strip material from a roll or the like.

The term “carrier part” describes a basic body which is preferablythree-dimensionally designed. Thus, the carrier part is a preferablythree-dimensionally designed structure, in order to be able to producecorrespondingly three-dimensional components or parts or laminatedcomponents accordingly.

At this point, it should also be pointed out that, in the context of thepresent patent application, undefined articles and indefinite figuressuch as “one . . . ”, “two . . . ” etc., as a rule are used to beunderstood as minimum information, that is, as at least “one . . . ”, atleast “two . . . ” and so on, unless it is clear from the context or theconcrete text of a particular passage that only “one . . . ”, exactly“two . . . ” and so on should be meant.

Furthermore, it should be mentioned here that in the context of thepresent patent application the expression “in particular” is always tobe understood in such a way that an optional, preferred feature isintroduced with this expression. The expression is not to be understoodas “and indeed” and not as “namely”.

Furthermore, it should be pointed out here that the present invention,with all its embodiments or related constructive and procedural objects,relates not only the variations of vacuum lamination, but also tovariations of press lamination, or the like.

The degrees of freedom mentioned here are preferably implemented bymeans of motorized drive devices, but they can also be manuallyadjustable as required. Depending on the customer's requirements or arequired complexity, individual degrees of freedom can be manuallyadjustable, while others can be cumulatively or alternatively motorized,in particular automated.

A preferred embodiment provides that the gripper head part of thegripper is movable with respect to at least one spatial axis, which isdifferent from spatial axes of the gripper chassis, with respect to thegripper chassis. This allows the degrees of freedom to be achievable bythe grippers to be increased even further.

In this context, it is considered, for example, that the gripper headpart can also be arranged on the gripper chassis of the gripper in amulti-axially adjustable manner.

In the sense of the invention, the term “multi-axial” describes amultifunctional or multi-axial spatial freedom of movement of thegripper or, in particular, of the gripper jaw elements, which isformulated by several translatory and/or rotary degrees of freedom alongseveral spatial axes. Here, a translatory movement and a rotary movementcan have a common spatial axis or different spatial axes.

Preferably, the gripper head portion can be adjusted three-dimensionallyrelative to the gripper chassis.

As a result, the gripping and adjustment possibilities of the grippercan be considerably increased in relation to the film element, and inparticular in relation to the molded part or the carrier part to belaminated.

In particular, by means of the gripper proposed here, the film elementcan be gripped in a more differentiated or effective manner, wherebycritical film elongation can be very well avoided.

In addition, due to the more differentiated handling, the film elementcan also be cut extremely tightly with regard to its film surface. Thissignificantly reduces the amount of residual film material around thefilm element that would otherwise be lost, saving a significant amountof residual film material overall.

It is understood that the articulation between the gripper chassis andthe gripper head part can be achieved in different constructive ways. Aconstructively simple but extremely effective realization of anadditional degree of freedom can be provided if the gripper head part ofthe gripper can be rotated about an axis of rotation by means of arotary drive.

A rotary drive can be implemented very simply and compactly, for exampleby a stepper motor or a servo motor. A corresponding rotary movement canbe carried out extremely precisely if the rotary actuator has a wormgear.

A particularly profitable additional mobility can be achieved on thegripper if the axis of rotation is arranged perpendicular to an end faceof the gripper chassis, i. e. about a horizontal axis. This allows anarea of a film element to be unwound particularly precisely with respectto a carrier part.

It has been found that it is advantageous if the gripper head portion ofthe gripper is rotatable relative to the gripper chassis about avertical axis and/or about a horizontal axis. As a result, a filmelement can be applied to a contour of a carrier part in an even moredifferentiated manner, in particular stress-free.

A horizontal axis can be realized simply by a rotational axis runningtransversely to an end face.

According to a second aspect of the invention, the present problem isalso solved by a gripper for a device for forming and/or laminating afilm element, in particular for a draping frame, having at least twogripper jaw elements, which are located opposite one another and aremovable relative to one another for gripping a film element, wherein atleast one of the gripper jaw elements has temperature-regulating means,by means of which at least one gripper jaw element can be at leastpartially temperature regulated.

These temperature-regulating means are preferably implemented as activetemperature-regulating means, so that desired target temperatures can beactively controlled and set on the gripper jaw elements.

Such temperature-control agents can have different designs. Inparticular, the temperature-regulating means can be designed as heatingdevices or cooling devices.

Just by way of example, it should be mentioned here that thetemperature-regulating means can be electrically operated, for example,as heating wires, heating rods or the like.

However, suitable temperature-regulating means may also comprise fluidchannels or the like for a heating fluid or cooling fluid, wherein thefluid channels may also be passed through the individual gripper jawelements.

Advantageously, the gripper jaw elements are at least partially cooledin such a way that even film elements with adhesive over the entiresurface can be gripped with the gripper jaw elements, so that thisreduces the risk of the grippers, in particular the gripper jawelements, are directly contaminated with adhesive residues. As a result,such cooled grippers need to be cleaned only less frequently, andnevertheless reliable use of the grippers is guaranteed.

Furthermore, the customer can decide for himself whether he wants to usean adhesive application station for partial adhesive application on thefilm element, or whether he wants to use the present grippers withcooled gripper jaw elements, to be able to save such an adhesiveapplication station if necessary, for example for cost and/or spacereasons.

It is advantageous if at least one of the gripper jaw elements hasconnection interfaces for temperature-regulating means, so that thegripper jaw elements can be connected to a cooling and/or heatingdevice.

For example, a connection interface comprises a cooling hose coupling bymeans of which cooling fluid hoses can be connected to fluid channelsintroduced into the gripper jaw elements.

In connection with a connection interface for temperature-regulatingmeans, electrical plug connectors are also considered as an alternative,in order to be able to supply electrical components located in or ongripper jaw elements with power.

The risk of adhesion, in particular of glue, to temperature-controlledgripper jaw elements of the grippers can additionally be significantlyreduced if at least one of the gripper jaw elements has an activelytemperature-controlled non-stick contact surface.

Suitable non-stick contact surfaces can be designed in different ways.Preferably, such a non-stick contact surface is designed as a Tefloncoating or the like.

However, also other constructive possibilities could be considered here.It should be remembered that, for example, a gripper jaw element is madeof a corresponding material which has anti-adhesive effects, such asceramics or the like.

For the purposes of the invention, the term “non-stick contact surface”essentially describes those areas which can come into effective contactwith the film element to be gripped.

In particular, gripping surface parts of gripper jaw elements can beequipped with temperature-regulating means or non-stick contactsurfaces.

According to a third aspect, the aim of the invention is also achievedby a gripper for a device for forming and/or laminating a film element,in particular for a draping frame, with at least two opposite andmutually movable gripper jaw elements for gripping the film element,wherein the gripper is provided with transfer means for edgefolding afilm edge around an edge of a carrier part laminated with the filmelement.

Such bent means integrated into the gripper can further streamline andoptimize a manufacturing process for a laminated component.

If the bent means are arranged on the grippers with at least two gripperjaw elements which are opposite each other and can move towards eachother, the grippers for laminating and edgefolding can be built verycompactly.

The same applies if the bent means are arranged on a gripper chassisand/or on a gripper head part.

The present grippers can be variously arranged on a device for formingand/or laminating a film element. For example, grippers can be arrangedon any frame. Or on column-like, preferably individuallyheight-adjustable base platforms, on each of which a gripper is mounted.Particularly simple in design, however, grippers can be integrated intogeneric devices if they are supported by a frame part, such as thedraping frame described here.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, the problem is furthersolved by a draping frame for forming and/or laminating a film elementhaving a draping room and having a plurality of motor-driven grippersfor gripping the film element, wherein grippers of the draping framehave at least partially at least seven degrees of freedom.

In the sense of the invention, the term “draping frame” describes aframe part for arranging a plurality of grippers in such a way on or ina draping room, that a film element is brought into effective contactfirst with a molded part or with a carrier part to be laminated by meansof the grippers or at least by means of a part of the grippers, andsecondly is subsequently laminated to said molded part or to the lattercarrier part can only be wound, whereby unnecessary elongation, inparticular longitudinal and/or transverse elongation, of the filmelement can be avoided.

In other words, the film element with the draping frame according to theinvention is stretched at least partially no longer or only negligibly,as is the case with conventional known clamping frames.

The invention relates to a draping frame which differs from conventionalclamping frames or laminating frames in that the film element is nolonger stretched—as previously usual—and thus critically stretchedbefore being subjected to a differential pressure, in particular avacuum.

The draping frame can be designed as an open frame part, for example asa kind of lattice tube frame, or closed with a converted housing.

The draping room is a working room which is at least partially convertedby the draping frame. The draping room is preferably also a laminatingroom in which a film element can be laminated onto a carrier part.

By providing at least seven degrees of freedom of the grippers, inparticular the gripper jaw elements thereof, it is possible to designthe film element with the present draping frame in an extraordinarilysimple manner, such that the film element is applied to the molded partor the carrier part to be laminated without tension or only with a low,rather negligible tension.

These seven degrees of freedom are particularly available on the gripperjaw elements. More specifically, the gripper jaw elements can move withseven degrees of freedom relative to the draping frame and in particularin the draping room.

In this context, the term “draping” in the sense of the inventiondescribes the two-dimensional holding of a film element in a drapingroom of a draping frame and, in particular, in a draping plane in frontof a molded part or a carrier part to be laminated and the at leastpartial application of the film element, in particular also to curvedsurfaces of the molded part or of the carrier part to be laminated.

It is particularly advantageous if the gripper has a gripper chassiswhich is arranged in a multi-axially adjustable manner with respect tothe draping frame having at least two or three, preferably six, degreesof freedom, and the gripper comprises a gripper head part, which has atleast one further degree of freedom which is different from the degreesof freedom of the gripper chassis. In this way, it can be achieved in avery compact design that at least seven degrees of freedom are availablefor the gripper jaw elements, whereby the total number of degrees offreedom is achieved by combining the individual degrees of freedom ofthe gripper chassis and the gripper head part.

According to a fifth aspect, the aim of the invention is also achievedby a draping frame for forming and/or laminating a film element having adraping room and having a plurality of motor-driven grippers forgripping the film element, wherein the grippers have temperature-controlmeans by means of which the gripper jaw elements can be at leastpartially temperature-controlled.

As already indicated above, gripper jaw elements of the draping framecan in particular be cooled, whereby even film elements provided withadhesive over the entire surface can be draped with the draping frame infront of a molded part or a carrier part to be laminated, without thegrippers, in particular the gripper jaw elements, being criticallysoiled directly with adhesive residues. As a result, cooled grippersneed to be cleaned only less frequently, whereby the draping frame canbe used even more reliably.

Furthermore, the customer can decide whether an adhesive applicationstation is to be used in combination with the draping frame for partialadhesive application to the film element, or whether the draping frameis to be equipped with grippers with cooled gripper jaw elementsinstead. Furthermore, it is very convenient if the draping framecomprises an at least partially heatable draping room, so that a filmelement already draped in the draping room can still be heated even ifit is gripped by the grippers. As a result, the ideal treatmenttemperature can be maintained at the film element until shortly beforeit is formed or laminated, whereby an improved form or lamination resultcan be achieved.

In this respect, it is just as useful if the laminating room can beheated.

According to a sixth aspect, the aim of the invention is furtherachieved by draping frames for forming and/or laminating a film elementhaving a draping room and having a plurality of motor-driven grippersfor gripping the film element, wherein the draping frame is a bent meansfor edgefolding a film edge around an edge of a carrier part laminatedwith the film element.

If a draping frame is immediately equipped with such transfer means, amanufacturing process for a laminated component can also be furtherstreamlined and optimized.

The invention relates to a preferred embodiment of the present drapingframe, wherein the bent means are mounted on at least one of thegrippers, are arranged on a gripper chassis of the at least one gripperand/or on a gripper head part of the at least one gripper and/or on atleast one gripper jaw element of the at least one gripper. This makes itextremely easy to integrate the materials into the draping frame.

The same also applies, moreover, if the bent means are arranged on thedraping frame or a frame part thereof, whereby the combinationlaminating/bent device can also be provided in a very compact design.

It is understood that the bent means can be of a different design, inparticular if they are arranged at different points in the drapingframe.

Structurally, the invention can be implemented in a very simple mannerif the bent means comprise at least one bent slide element foredgefolding the film element or the like.

In any case, the present draping frame can be advantageously furtherdeveloped by the grippers described here.

According to a seventh aspect, the aim of the invention is achieved by adevice for forming and/or laminating a film element having a pluralityof grips and having a forming tool or a laminating tool, wherein theforming tool or the laminating tool comprises a lower tool and an uppertool, the device comprising a gripper or a draping frame according toone of the features described herein.

According to an eighth aspect, the aim of the invention is achieved by adevice for forming and/or laminating a film element with a frame partwhich comprises a plurality of grippers and with a forming tool or alaminating tool comprising a lower tool and an upper tool, wherein theframe part comprises a gripper or a draping frame according to one ofthe features described here.

If the device for forming a film element on a molded part and/or forlaminating a film element onto a carrier part is equipped with thepresent gripper or draping frame, said device can work much moreprecisely.

The present grippers or the present draping frame alone are anadvantageous further development of generic devices, since a filmelement can now be unwound almost tension-free on the molded part orcarrier part by means of the device, as a result of which stretching ofthe film element can be completely avoided, at least in part.

The device advantageously has a feeding and/or inserting device forfeeding and/or inserting a film element to grippers or in grippers, inparticular a draping frame of the device. As a result, this makes itvery easy to implement an automated transport of the film element intothe laminating room or into the draping frame, which can increase theeffectiveness of the device.

In particular, the film element can be moved translationally, but alsorotationally around a vertical axis, for example, in order to be able toplace it appropriately and advantageously in the draping frame and toinsert it into open grippers of the draping frame.

The present device can additionally be advantageously further developedby a draping frame which is transversely displaceable relative to a feedand/or insertion path for feeding and/or inserting a film element, bymeans of which draping frame the fed or inserted film element can befed, for example, to a lower tool. As a result, the draping frame can beeasily moved between a forming or laminating position and an insertionposition.

A preferred embodiment provides that the device has a heating unit forheating the film element outside a draping room, in particular of adraping frame of the device, said heating unit can be moved togetherwith a film element along a feed and/or insertion path for feeding orinserting the film element to or into grippers or to or into a drapingroom, in particular of a draping frame of the device. By means of such aheating unit, it is possible to heat a moving film element in motionduring its feed movement thereof, so that the film element no longer hasto remain motionless at a heating unit until, for example, a targettemperature is reached at the film element. In this respect, the devicecan be operated even more time effectively.

If the device has a heating unit for heating the film element, whichheating unit can be arranged at least partially temporarily within adraping room, in particular a draping frame of the device, the filmelement can be heated right into the draping frame or draping room,preferably continuously since the feed at the feed and/or insertionsection.

It is understood that the features with respect to the heating unitdescribed herein advantageously further develop a generic device evenwithout the other features of the invention.

If the device further has a charging station for charging the devicewith film elements, the degree of automation of the present device canbe increased even further. In particular, this can save operatingpersonnel on the device or be used even more effectively.

A further increase in efficiency can be achieved relatively simply byincreasing the degree of automation by design if the device has aninsertion device for inserting a carrier part to be laminated into thedevice, in particular into a draping room of a draping frame of thedevice.

Such an insertion device can be implemented in various ways on thedevice, for example in the form of linear conveying devices or the like.For example, the insertion of the carrier part is accomplished by meansof a belt conveyor device or the like.

If the device has a removal device for removing a molded part or alaminated component from the device, in particular from a draping roomof a draping frame or a laminating room of the device, the device can beadvantageously further developed not only on the input side, but also onthe output side, in that finished laminated components can also beremoved from the device in an automated manner.

Such a removal device can also be implemented in different ways on thedevice. Here, too, corresponding linear conveying devices, such as beltconveying devices or the like, should be considered.

The structural complexity of the device in this respect can beconsiderably reduced if the insertion device and the removal devicecomprise a common transfer station. As a result, the required number ofcomponents can be significantly reduced on the device. In this respect,the space required for the system of the device can also be considerablyreduced.

It goes without saying that different transfer facilities can be usedfor this purpose. For example, a suitable transfer device can bedesigned as a floor conveyor system having different insertion andremoval levels.

However, a preferred design variant provides that the common transferstation comprises a common robot device having a preferably multi-axialmovable manipulator. Such a robot device can be implemented verycompactly on the present device due to its compact design, its flexiblemovement sequences and so on.

Independently of this, both the insertion device and the removal devicecan be implemented by such a robot device, if necessary also separatelyfrom each other.

According to a ninth aspect, the aim of the invention is achieved by adevice for forming and/or laminating a film element with a toolcomprising an exchangeable lower tool and an exchangeable upper tool,which can be exchanged for a product change, the device is characterizedin that the tool comprises a draping frame equipped with a plurality ofgrippers, which can be exchanged together with the lower tool and/or theupper tool for the product change.

In this case, the draping frame is a part of the tool temporarily usedon the device and can be replaced together with the lower and/or uppertool if this is necessary during a product change. Thus, the presentdevice can be converted to a new product much faster than is possiblewith previous solutions, in which a frame part of a comparable clampingframe is still part of the actual device.

If the lower tool has a first mold half or a laminating shell part,laminating slide elements or the like, and the upper tool has a secondmold half or a carrier part receptacle, in particular, the carrier partto be laminated can be introduced with the carrier part receptacle fromabove into the draping room and/or the draping frame, so that, forexample, the robot device described above can be used very well.

If the lower tool has a first mold half or a carrier part receptacle,and the upper tool has a second mold half or a laminating shell part,laminating slide element or the like, the carrier part to be laminatedcan, alternatively, for example, from below, or from the side into thedraping room and/or the draping frame.

In order to be able to control or regulate in particular the individualgrippers, devices or the like on the device, it is advantageous if thedevice has a regulating and/or control device, by means of which, inparticular, the grippers for gripping the film element can beindividually controlled.

In particular, it is advantageous if a tensile force measuring device isprovided for measuring tensile forces acting between the film elementand the gripper. This allows the grippers to be controlled veryprecisely. Such a tensile force measuring device can also be part of theregulating and/or control device.

According to a tenth aspect, the aim of the invention is achieved by adevice for forming and/or laminating a film element with a frame partcomprising a plurality of grippers and with a forming tool or alaminating tool comprising a lower tool and an upper tool, wherein thedevice comprises tensile force measuring means by means of which tensileforces acting between the film element and the grippers can be measuredand monitored.

By means of such tensile force measuring devices, the risk of criticalfilm elongation is reduced particularly effectively. In particular, itis possible to control undesired tension or film elongation on a filmelement gripped by the grippers.

It is understood that such tensile force measuring devices can bemeasured in different ways. For example, tensile forces can be measuredsimply by means of strain gauges, to name just one example. Such straingauges can be arranged on the gripper head part, for example.

According to an eleventh aspect of the invention, the present task isperformed by a device for forming and/or laminating a film element to acarrier part to be laminated, the device comprises a device foredgefolding the film element laminated to the support part. If thedevice is equipped with a device for edgefolding over, a productionprocess for a laminated component can also be further streamlined andoptimized.

In addition, it is advantageous in this context if bent means of thedevice for edgefolding to a gripper for gripping the film element, inparticular the gripper chassis thereof, gripper head part and/or gripperjaw elements, and/or on a draping frame for forming and/or laminating afilm element, and/or on another frame or frame part of the laminatingstation. This results in a variety of design options.

It is also advantageous if bent means of the device for edgefoldingcomprise at least one bent slide element for edgefolding the filmelement or the like, whereby the bent means can be provided in astructurally simple manner.

The invention can be implemented in a structurally very simple manner ifthe bent means comprise at least one bent slide element for transferringthe film element or the like.

According to a twelfth aspect of the invention, the present problem isalso solved by a device for laminating a film element on a carrier part,comprising grippers for gripping the film element, with a carrier partreceptacle for holding the carrier part relative to the film element andwith a laminating room in which the film element is laminated onto thecarrier part, The device comprises an insertion device for introducingthe carrier part receptacle and/or the carrier part into the laminatingroom, and wherein the insertion device has at least two degrees offreedom in the room, in particular in the laminating room.

By means of the insertion device having at least two degrees of freedom,the film element and the carrier part, which must be connected to oneanother, can be positioned significantly better and more differentiatedfrom one another, in particular in some areas and in particular within alaminating room or draping room.

In this context, it is advantageous if the insertion device comprises amulti-axially movable manipulator in particular a manipulator which canbe moved in several axes within a laminating room or a draping room.

In the context of the invention, the term “manipulator” describes adevice by means of which a robot or a robot device interacts physicallywith its environment and by means of which mechanical work can beperformed automatically. In particular, such a manipulator comprises amulti-articulated robot arm part, by means of which multi-axialmovements in room are possible.

The device can be built even more effectively if the insertion device isa discharge device for discharging the laminated component. As alreadydescribed above, it is thus possible to handle both a carrier part to belaminated and a laminated carrier part or component in a structurallyand procedurally simple manner.

In order that the device can also be used for press lamination withoutany problems, it is particularly useful if the device is characterizedby a press tool having a first tool half and a second tool half, thefirst half of the tool comprises the insertion device, in particular themulti-axially movable manipulator.

Preferably, the first half of the tool is designed as an upper tool, sothat a carrier part can be introduced from above into a draping room orlaminating room by means of the insertion device.

Accordingly, the second tool half is accordingly designed as a lowertool, which then comprises a mold shell part or the like.

Preferably, the device comprises a lifting device for the second toolhalf, by means of which the mold shell part or the like can be pressedagainst the carrier part receptacle of the insertion device.

It is advantageous if the insertion device comprises an additionalsupporting device for absorbing pressing forces, in order to be able towithstand higher pressing forces in this respect by the multi-axialinsertion device without damage.

Such a support device can in particular relieve the pressure on themanipulator, so that it can be dimensioned as “normal”, but cannevertheless withstand high pressing forces without being damaged.

For this purpose, it is advantageous if the manipulator has an interfaceto a pressing force discharge device, such as a hydraulic cylinder ramor the like.

According to a thirteenth aspect, the aim of the invention is achievedby a device for forming and/or laminating a film element on a carrierpart, having grippers for gripping the film element, with a carrier partreceptacle for holding the carrier part relative to the film element andwith a laminating room in which the film element is laminated onto thecarrier part, wherein the device has a punching device for punching thefilm element. As the punching device is directly integrated in thelaminating device, the finished laminated component can be immediatelyremoved from excess film residue material in the laminating device,which allows the manufacturing process of laminated components to bestreamlined even further.

In particular, an additional punching station or the like can bedispensed with in a correspondingly equipped system for producinglaminated components.

In the context of the invention, the term “punching device” describesany device by means of which residual film material can be separated andremoved from the laminated film element. In this respect, it does notmatter whether the film element is punched, cut and/or torn, or thelike.

An advantageous embodiment in this respect provides that the punchingdevice has a segmented punching knife having a plurality of punchingknife segments. By means of such punching knife segments, a separatingprocess can be carried out successively on a film element, whereby areduction of punching forces acting in the laminating device can also beadvantageously achieved. This is particularly advantageous if thelaminated component is held by a manipulator, since less manpower orpunching forces act on the manipulator. Thus, this can be less massive.

In addition, different component geometries can be reproduced moreeasily with a segmented punching knife, so that a segmented punchingknife can be used for different laminated components, which can furtherreduce overall production costs.

The device can be particularly compact if the punching device can bearranged within the laminating room, in particular within a draping roomand in particular within a draping frame.

The device can be realized even more compactly if the punching device isarranged within a sealing device of a pressure differential device ofthe device.

If the punching device is arranged within a vacuum room of a pressuredifference device of the device, residue film material can be removedimmediately after a laminating process in the laminating device.

If the punching device is arranged opposite a carrier part receptaclefor receiving a carrier part to be laminated, the punching device or theindividual punching knife segments thereof can be placed, for example,directly next to a molded shell part or the like.

According to a fourteenth aspect, the aim of the invention is achievedby a device for forming and/or laminating a film element on a carrierpart, having grippers for gripping the film element, having a carrierpart receptacle for holding the carrier part relative to the filmelement, having a laminating room in which the film element is laminatedonto the carrier part, and with a pressure differential device forgenerating a vacuum, wherein the pressure differential device comprisesa segmented sealing device for sealing vacuum regions having a pluralityof sealing slide segments. By means of the segmented sealing device, avacuum room on the laminating device can be gripped even tighter. Thisin turn has the positive effect of an additional material saving, sincea sealing device can be arranged into the area of a edgefolding filmarea of the film element. In this respect, even smaller bent sections oredgefolding can be created on the laminated component

Advantageously, the sealing slide segments are arranged in a row onebehind the other such that the film element can be sealed in segments.In particular, a circumferential sealing device can thus be successivelyproduced.

If the sealing slide segments are arranged around a punching device, thedevice can be implemented even more compactly.

A segmental sealing of a vacuum room can be improved in particular ifthe sealing slide segments can be individually controllable and movable.

According to a fifteenth aspect, the aim of the invention is achieved bya device for forming and/or laminating a film element on a carrier part,having grippers for gripping the film element, having a carrier partreceptacle for holding the carrier part in relation to the film element,and having a laminating room in which the film element is laminated ontothe carrier part, the device comprises a correction device forcorrecting partial position deviations of individual film elementregions. The correction device can be used to correct positiondeviations which may have occurred after the film element has beenpositioned or unwound or applied with respect to the carrier part. Thisallows laminated components to be produced with even greater precisionand quality. In particular, an otherwise produced scrap of bad parts canbe significantly reduced.

Such position deviations can occur, in particular partially, on the filmelement.

An advantageous embodiment provides in this respect that the correctiondevice has detection means for detecting partial position deviations.Such detection means can be implemented very simply in terms ofconstruction, for example, by optical sensors. In a very simpleembodiment, the correction device can be equipped with a camera whichoptically picks up the film element as an actual layer and compares itwith a target layer of the film element relative to the carrier part.

Cumulatively or alternatively, it is advantageous if the correctiondevice has detection means for detecting specially designed film elementareas. In particular, position deviations of specially designed filmelement areas are extremely disturbing and therefore unacceptable. Suchspecially designed film element areas can, for example, be present withregard to a blind seam, a 3D seam, two-color film materials or the likeand can be immediately visible, so that such a deviation in respectoften leads directly to a reject part.

For example, an incorrect position of a blind seam is detected byoptical detection means, wherein a control unit, for example, actuatesand moves grippers which grip and hold the film element in such a way,that the blind seam is moved out of its incorrect position and into thecorrect position. The actual laminating process can then take place. Ifnecessary, a manipulator which has a carrier part receptacle on whichthe carrier part is held can also be manipulated by the presentcorrection device.

In any case, it is advantageous if the correction device has a controlunit for controlling grippers and/or the carrier part receptacle, sothat the position of the film element relative to the carrier part canbe changed, at least in some areas, even before lamination.

According to a sixteenth aspect, the aim of the invention is achieved bya system for producing a molded and/or laminated component having aninput side, having an output side, having at least one processing linebetween the input side and the output side, and with a device forforming and/or laminating a film element, wherein the system has adevice according to one of the features described here.

If the system is equipped with a device according to the invention, inparticular laminated components can be produced more effectively andcost-effectively.

The present problem is solved in particular by a system for producing amolded and/or laminated component having at least one processing lineand having a device for forming and/or laminating a film element,wherein the system comprises a feed and/or insertion device for feedingand/or inserting a film element to grippers or in grippers of a drapingframe of the device and/or an insertion device for inserting a carrierpart to be laminated to a lower tool of the device, and/or a removaland/or provision device for removing or providing a molded part or alaminated component from the device. Such a system can also ensure avery compact production, in particular of laminated components.

Suitable feeding and/or insertion devices, infeed devices, removaldevices have been readily explained above.

According to the invention, a provision device is arranged to transfer alaminated component to a subsequent processing station of the system, inwhich the laminated component can then be further processed.

The system can be used to advantageously produce virtually any shapedand/or laminated components, such as automotive components, inparticular instrument panels, interior door panels or the like.

The system can be constructed in a particularly simple manner if theinsertion device and removal and/or provision device comprises a commonrobot device having a preferably multi-axial movable manipulator. Inparticular, if the system is configured accordingly, a removal devicecan immediately be embodied by means of a removal device for introducingcarrier parts and a provision device for laminated components, inparticular if the removal device is configured to grip and hold acarrier part on the designated B-side of the laminated component.

An advantageous embodiment provides that the system has a chargingstation for charging the device with film elements, wherein the chargingstation is connected upstream of the device inline in the processingline. By such a charging station, the degree of automation at the systemcan be further increased, whereby in particular laminated components canbe produced more effectively.

A further advantageous embodiment provides that the system has anadhesive application station for applying adhesive to the film element,wherein the adhesive application station is connected upstream of thedevice inline in the processing line. As a result, the production, inparticular of laminated components, can be further compressed in termsof space and time.

If the adhesive application station is connected inline in theprocessing line downstream of a charging station and/or upstream of afeeding and/or insertion device of the device, it is possible to placethe film elements in an orderly manner on the processing line of thesystem in order to then precisely coat the film elements with adhesiveusing the adhesive application station. Advantageously, the dwell timeof film elements prepared with adhesive can thus be reduced before theyare further processed in the draping frame of the device.

The processing of the film element can be further streamlined if thesystem has a heating unit for heating the film element, wherein inparticular the heating unit in a feed and/or inserting device forfeeding and/or inserting a film element to grippers or into grippers ofa draping frame of the device.

A further increase in the degree of automation can be achieved on thesystem if the system has a transfer station for transferring a moldedpart or a laminated component, wherein the transfer station is connecteddownstream of the device inline in the processing line and upstream ofanother processing station inline.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the system comprises a dischargestation for discharging a molded part or a laminated component, whereinthe discharge station being connected downstream inline of theprocessing line of a trimming station and/or a punching station and/or abent station, whereby the finished components can be automaticallyconveyed away from the upstream processing stations.

According to a seventeenth aspect, the problem is therefore also solvedby a system for producing a molded and/or laminated component having aninput side, having an output side, having at least one processing linebetween the input side and the output side, and having a device forforming and/or laminating a film element, wherein the device comprises adevice for edgefolding the film element that is mounted on the carrierpart.

If the device combines a laminating and bent device, a separate bentstation with a bent device can be dispensed with at the system, wherebythe system can be built more compactly.

According to an eighteenth aspect, the aim of the invention is by amethod for forming and/or laminating a film element, wherein the filmelement is inserted into open grippers and subsequently gripped by thegrippers, and in which, furthermore, the film element is brought intooperative contact with a molded part or with a carrier part to belaminated, wherein the film element is unwound and/or applied at leastpartially only to the contour of the molded part or the carrier part bymeans of grippers.

By means of the proposed process according to the invention, the filmelement can be brought into effective contact or first contact with themolded part or carrier part almost or preferably completely withouttensile force or stress.

This is particularly advantageous with regard to three-dimensionaldesigned carrier parts.

In other words, the film element is applied or unwound to the carrierpart without tensile force or stress by means of interaction of thegrippers and optionally by means of interaction of a carrier partreceptacle, and only then the film element is permanently connected tothe carrier part by applying compressive forces, as will be describedbelow.

As a result, the film element is treated gently in a particularlymaterial- and surface-friendly manner.

A tension-free or strain-free unwinding or attachment of the filmelement with the carrier part without strain can be applied to thecarrier part, in particular depending on displacement parameters, forceparameters, speed parameters and/or temperature parameters can becontrolled.

If the film element is brought into operative contact with the moldedpart and/or carrier part by means of a gripper, bypassing stretching ofthe film element, the film element can then then be unwound at leastpartially, in particular by means of a draping frame, more precisely bymeans of grippers, without critical tensile forces on the surface of thecarrier part to be laminated, in particular before the film element islaminated onto the carrier part with the aid of a differential pressure.

A particularly advantageous method variant provides that the filmelement reduces is placed on the molded part or carrier part at leastpartially without elongation and/or at least with reduced elongationwith a partial film elongation of less than 10%, preferably of less than5%, in particular before the film element is laminated onto the carrierpart with the aid of a differential pressure. In this way, a criticalfilm expansion can be avoided, in particular before the film element isfinally laminated or applied to the carrier part.

In the sense of the invention, the terms “unwinding”, “bringing intooperative contact”, “laying on”, “applying” describe in each case theapproach and connection of the film element to the molded part orcarrier component before, in particular, the film element is laminatedon by means of a further process step, for example by means of vacuumlaminating or press laminating. So, at least for the time being,bypassing forces through vacuum or press laminating.

If the film element is at least partially applied to the molded part orthe carrier part with a partial film expansion of less than 5%, aparticularly high quality of the optics can be achieved, if this isnecessary for particularly high-quality products.

If a maximum film elongation of more than 15% is not exceeded in anyeffective contact area between the film element and the molded part orthe carrier part to be laminated, in particular in the longitudinal andtransverse direction of the film element, the film element can beprocessed particularly gently on the corresponding device and, inaddition, a desired appearance can be maintained on the film element.

In order to be able to process the film element constructively and alsoprocedurally as described above, it is advantageous if grippers and, inparticular, gripper jaw elements are thereof moved on and/or in adraping room, in particular of a draping frame, with up to seven degreesof freedom or more, in order to unwind and/or form the film element atleast partially on the contour of the molded part or the carrier part.

The film element can already be treated particularly gently duringinsertion into the draping room or, in particular, into the drapingframe if the film element is inserted into the opened grippers withouttension.

The film element can be transferred to the grippers and inserted in anoperationally reliable manner if grippers are moved to an insertionposition before the film element is inserted, in which the film elementis placed on a lower gripper jaw element of the respective gripper.

If the grippers are closed sequentially after the film element has beeninserted, the risk of undesirable distortions or stresses on the filmelement can be reduced.

According to a nineteenth aspect, the aim of the invention is achievedby a method for forming and/or laminating a film element, wherein thefilm element is gripped by grippers, to bring it into operative contactwith a molded part or a carrier part to be laminated, wherein tensileforces acting between the film element and the grippers are measured andmonitored by means of tensile force measuring means, when the filmelement is brought into operative contact with the film element to belaminated.

By measuring the tensile forces acting between the film element and thegrippers, the risk of critical film elongation is reduced cumulativelyor, alternatively, particularly effectively. In particular, it ispossible to check undesired stresses or film elongation on a filmelement gripped by the grippers. This is particularly advantageous for athree-dimensional carrier part.

A particularly advantageous method variant provides that tensile forcesacting between the film element and the grippers are measured andmonitored by means of tensile force measuring means, when the filmelement is wound and/or applied at least partially only to the contourof the molded part or the carrier part by means of grippers. This isalso particularly advantageous for a three-dimensional carrier part. Asa result, a particularly good preparation, in particular of a furthercoating process, is achieved even before the film element is, forexample, laminated onto the carrier part by a vacuum.

For example, the grippers can be activated depending on the determinedtensile forces and by the regulating and/or control device describedabove.

According to a twentieth aspect, the aim of the invention is achieved bya method for forming and/or laminating a film element, wherein the filmelement is gripped by grippers in order to bring it into operativecontact with a molding or a carrier part to be laminated, the filmelement gripped by the grippers is heated before and/or during themolding of the film element gripped by the grippers onto the molded partor the support part to be laminated.

As a result, the film element itself can still be placed in a drapingroom or draping frame. Lamination room, especially in a draping frame,can be heated, even if it is already gripped by the grippers.

In this respect, the film element and, in particular, adhesive appliedthereto, can be prepared for subsequent lamination. In particular, thefilm element can be released from tensions within the draping room ordraping frame.

For example, suitable heating devices of a heating unit are positionedabove and/or below the grippers arranged within a draping room orlaminating room.

In this respect, a suitable method variant provides for a heating deviceabove the grippers and/or a heating device below the grippers to betemporarily arranged in order to heat the film element gripped by thegrippers.

In particular, such a heating device can also be displaced from theoutside into a draping room or laminating room, in particular into adraping frame, if the film element is already gripped by the grippers.

According to a twenty-first aspect of the invention, the present problemis solved by the invention by a method for forming and/or laminating afilm element, wherein the film element is gripped by grippers, in orderto bring it into operative contact with a molded part or a carrier partto be laminated, wherein the method is characterized in that the filmelement is fed to the grippers by means of a feeding and/or insertionmovement and the film element is heated during the feeding and/orinsertion movement.

In other words, this means that the film element is heated while beingmoved in the direction of a draping room or laminating room, inparticular a draping frame.

It is thus possible to heat the film element already during a feedmovement, wherein corresponding heating devices of a heating unit arepreferably moved at the film element speed along the feed and/or feedpath.

A particular advantage here is that the feeding and/or insertion linedoes not have to be equipped with heating devices over the entire lengthof the feed and/or insertion line.

In addition, it is advantageous for at least one heating device to bemoved transversely to a feed direction of a lower tool and/or an uppertool in order to heat the film element gripped by the grippers,especially in a draping room formulated by a draping frame. This makesit possible to insert the film element into the feeding and/or insertionsection during or after loading and, if necessary, into a draping roomlaminating room or to be able to heat the draping frame almostcontinuously.

The present methods can be further optimized if a film element and/or aheating unit are moved relative to grippers and/or a draping frame,while a film element is formed into a molded part or laminated onto acarrier part. Here, a new film element can already be heated, while, forexample, another film element is already placed on a carrier part.

If the film element is prestressed by means of the gripper only duringand/or after heating at least partially free of condensation and/or atleast reduced expansion with a partial film elongation of less than 10%,preferably less than 5%, lower tensile forces need to be absorbed by thefilm material in order to be prestretched.

The method can be carried out in a more energy-efficient manner ifheating elements of a heating device are switched on depending on thesize of the film element.

The method can be carried out in a more customer-specific manner if thefilm element has a first feed movement, in particular a vertical liftingmovement, a lower tool and/or a feed movement, in particular a verticallowering movement, of an upper tool to the molded part or the carrierpart or is laminated.

Cumulatively, the support part can be advantageously approximated to thefilm element by means of an upper tool, in particular with a multi-axialmovement.

If grippers are actively moved when a lower tool is moved to the filmelement gripped by the grippers in the feed direction of the lower tooland/or against the feed direction of the lower tool and/or transverselyto the feed direction, film elongation can be avoided particularlyeffectively, especially when the grippers are moved depending onmeasured tensile forces.

A further increase in efficiency can be achieved if the film element isoptionally bent at least partially around an edge of the carrier part bymeans of grippers after being laminated onto the carrier part. As aresult, the film element can already be moved inside the draping frame.

Advantageously, the edgefolding can thus be carried out at a time whenthe film element and/or the adhesive has even more thermal energy thanat a later time.

Since this allows not only process-related advantages, but alsoproduction-related advantages to be achieved, for example, opticaladvantages of a bent section, the advantages of edgefolding withgrippers of the draping frame are advantageous even without the otherfeatures of the invention.

In this respect, it is advantageous if the film element is at leastpartially bent around the carrier part within the draping frame.

The laminated carrier part can be further processed as quickly aspossible, if, after release by the grippers, the shaped film element orthe carrier part laminated with the film element is provided for furtherprocessing by means of a removal device on at least one downstreamprocessing device.

Such a processing machine can be, for example, a bent device, a punchingdevice or the like. This allows the laminated carrier part to be furtherprocessed as quickly as possible.

According to a twenty-second aspect, the aim of the invention isachieved by a method for converting a device for forming and/orlaminating a film element, in which, in order to convert the device toanother product, a tool of the device is replaced, the upper tool pulland/or the lower tool of the tool being replaced, and in which, inaddition to the upper and/or lower tool also a draping frame includinggripper for gripping the film element is replaced.

The draping frame is a part of the tool temporarily used on the deviceand can be replaced together with the lower and/or upper tool if this isnecessary during a product change. Thus, the corresponding device can beconverted to a new product much faster than is possible with previoussolutions, in which a framing part of a comparable clamping frame isstill part of the actual device.

According to a twenty-third aspect, the aim of the invention is alsoachieved by a method for forming and/or laminating a film element on acarrier part, in which the film element and the carrier part arepositioned with respect to one another for forming and/or laminating,wherein the carrier part is moved in a multi-axial manner in the room,in particular in a draping room and/or a laminating room, forpositioning with respect to the film element.

As a result, the film element and the carrier part, which must beconnected to one another, can be positioned significantly better andmore differentiated from one another, in particular in some areas and inparticular within a laminating room or draping room, in particularbefore lamination.

In this respect, it is advantageous if the carrier part is broughtcloser to the film element for positioning relative to the film elementin a multi-axial manner in room, in particular in a draping room and/ora laminating room.

A further improvement in the handling of the film element and carrierpart relative to each other can be achieved if the film element isgripped by grippers for positioning relative to the carrier part,wherein grippers are being moved multi-axial in room, in particularrelative to the carrier part.

The carrier part can be moved multi-axially in room in different ways,for example by means of a tool table, which can be displacedtranslationally along two axes and on which the carrier part receptacleis clamped.

The carrier part holder and thus also the carrier part can be moved inroom in a particularly flexible manner and can thereby be positionedrelative to the film element if the carrier part is held by means of amanipulator that can be moved in a multi-axially movable manner andrelative to the film element.

In this context, it is advantageous if a carrier part receptacle of adevice for laminating a film element on a carrier part is movedmulti-axially in room in room, in particular in a draping room and/or alaminating room.

According to a twenty-fourth aspect, the aim of the invention is furtherachieved by a method for producing a laminated component from a filmelement and a carrier part, in which the film element is laminated ontothe carrier part on a laminating device, and in which the laminatedcomponent is subsequently removed from the laminating device and madeavailable for further processing, the carrier part or the laminatedcomponent is held on the B side thereof by means of a removal device forremoval from the laminating device.

Due to the fact that the carrier part or the laminated component is heldexclusively on its B-side, the risk of damage to the A-side isconsiderably reduced and can ideally be completely eliminated.

In particular, a laminated component has an A-side (goods side) and aB-side (bad side).

The B-side is the back of the laminated component or the carrier part,which is no longer visible in the installed state of the laminatedcomponent and is therefore not completely laminated.

The A-side, on the other hand, defines the visible area in the installedstate of the laminated component.

In this respect, it is advantageous for the laminated component to gripand hold on its B-side as exclusively as possible during its productionprocess.

Thus, a preferred method variant provides that the carrier part or thelaminated component is removed from the laminating device by means ofthe removal device, held on its B side, and is transferred to asubsequent processing station, held continuously on its B side, wherebythe A side can be better protected.

A specific method variant advantageously provides that the carrier partor the laminated component held on the B side thereof is removed fromthe laminating station during transfer from the laminating device to adownstream processing station, in particular on a downstream bent deviceand/or during insertion into a processing position at the downstreamprocessing station, in particular into a bent processing position at thedownstream bent device, is held continuously by the removal device.

The handling process of the carrier part up to the laminated componentcan be further substantially simplified if the carrier part is grippedand held continuously only once by the removal device from its pick-upposition, in particular from a carrier part magazine, which extends intoa draping position and a laminating position of the laminating deviceand into a processing position of a downstream processing station,namely on his B-side.

In this respect, it is advantageous with regard to simple and gentlehandling of the carrier part or the laminated component if the carrierpart is held on its B side while the film element is being casted ontothe carrier part.

All process steps have the advantage that a plurality of otherwiserequired transfer steps can be dispensed with.

Advantageously, the removal device is at the same time also theintroduction device, wherein these two devices embody a common transferdevice or transfer station, as already described above. This transferstation advantageously comprises a robot device with a with amulti-axially movable manipulator.

With the present invention, both a critical film material expansion canbe prevented and a film consumption can be significantly reduced.Furthermore, the possibility of using highly precise film element blanksmakes it possible to achieve a previously not yet possible degree ofautomation in devices for forming and/or laminating a film element andsystems for producing a molded and/or laminated component.

Furthermore, film material consumption can be significantly furtherreduced if the film element is partially stretched more at designatedareas of a laminated component that are not visible later than indesignated visible areas of the laminated component.

It should also be mentioned here that the present invention can beapplied to almost all complete laminating processes, such as presslamination, vacuum lamination, in-mold graining (IMG) or the like.

In this respect, it is advantageous if the film element is formed afterunwinding on the carrier part or when it is laid on the carrier part byapplying a differential pressure to the molded part or the carrier partto be laminated.

In the meaning of the invention, the term “differential pressure”describes a wide variety of pressurizations of the components involved,in particular of the film element, for example by means of a negativepressure or vacuum, whereby the film element can be brought into activecontact exclusively or supporting the carrier part in a shaping manner.

Either cumulatively or alternatively, a corresponding pressurization canalso be effected by pressing devices or the like.

In this respect, the invention disclosed here does not only comprisevacuum lamination, but also press lamination, or the like, if theinvention or the constructive and process-related objects areappropriately designed.

This means that, in particular, the present device can have a vacuumdevice having a vacuum tool and/or a pressing device having a pressingtool as a differential pressure generating device.

By means of the invention proposed here, a mold or shape can be formed.Lamination of a film element can be carried out in a particularlyflexible manner, since the invention provides almost unlimited settingand method options.

It is understood that features of the solutions described above or inthe claims can also be combined, if necessary, in order to be able toimplement advantages and effects correspondingly cumulatively in thepresent case.

In addition, further features, effects and advantages of the presentinvention are explained with reference to the accompanying drawing andthe following description, in which a draping frame, a gripper, devicesand equipment of the invention are illustrated and described by way ofexample.

Components which correspond at least substantially with respect to theirfunction in the individual figures can be identified here with the samereference signs, whereby the components do not have to be numbered andexplained in all figures.

The drawing shows:

FIG. 1 schematically shows a top view of a draping frame with a total often grippers for gripping a film element, each of the grippers havingseven degrees of freedom with respect to its gripper jaw elementsrelative to the draping frame;

FIG. 2 schematically shows a perspective view of one of the grippersfrom FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 schematically shows an example of a winding of a film element ona carrier part to be laminated;

FIG. 4 a schematic a view of a first test laminated component with afilm elongation of less than 20%;

FIG. 5 schematically shows a detailed view of the first component fromFIG. 4;

FIG. 6 schematically shows a view of a second test laminated componentat a film elongation of less than 20%;

FIG. 7 schematically shows of a detailed view of the second component ofFIG. 6;

FIG. 8 shows a schematic view of a third test laminated component at afilm elongation of less than 20%;

FIG. 9 schematically shows a detailed view of the third component fromFIG. 8;

FIG. 10 schematically shows of a first perspective view of a firstdevice for forming and/or laminating a film element with a drapingframe, in which the film element is placed in a loading position on alower heating device of a travelling heating unit;

FIG. 11 schematically shows a second perspective view of the firstdevice from FIG. 10 with the heating unit moving along with the filmelement;

FIG. 12 schematically shows a third perspective view of the first devicefrom FIGS. 10 and 11 with the retracted heating unit, which is nowarranged congruently with the draping frame;

FIG. 13 schematically shows a fourth perspective view of the firstdevice from FIGS. 10 to 12 with a lower heating device moving upwardsfor transferring the film element to grippers of the draping frame;

FIG. 14 schematically shows a fifth perspective view of the first devicefrom FIGS. 10 to 13 with a heating unit moving back into the loadingposition;

FIG. 15 schematically shows a sixth perspective view of the first devicefrom FIGS. 10 to 14 with a draping frame lowered in the direction of alower tool and an upper tool arranged on a robot via the draping framewith a carrier part receptacle, which holds the carrier part;

FIG. 16 schematically shows a seventh perspective view of the firstdevice from FIGS. 10 to 15 with a carrier part lowered onto the filmelement by means of the robot;

FIG. 17 schematically shows an eighth perspective view of the firstdevice from FIGS. 10 to 16 in a laminating position;

FIG. 18 schematically shows a ninth perspective view of the first devicefrom FIGS. 10 to 17 after the laminating process, wherein the laminatedcarrier part is transferred by means of the robot to a device forcutting the laminated carrier part;

FIG. 19 schematically shows a tenth perspective view of the first devicefrom FIGS. 10 to 18 with the heating unit which is heated and which issupported by the film element, in which the robot picks up a new carrierpart;

FIG. 20 schematically shows a perspective view of a first system forproducing a molded and/or laminated component with a device for formingand/or laminating a film element onto a carrier part and with a punchingand bent station connected inline downstream as well as a dischargestation connected inline downstream;

FIG. 21 schematically shows a perspective view of a second system forproducing a molded and/or laminated component with a device for formingand/or laminating a film element onto a carrier part and with an inlinedownstream punching and bent device;

FIG. 22 schematically shows a perspective view of a third system forproducing a molded and/or laminated component with a device for formingand/or laminating a film element onto a carrier part comprising twoheating units for shortening the cycle time, and with a punching andbent device connected inline downstream;

FIG. 23 schematically shows a perspective view of a double line formanufacturing a molded and/or laminated component with two devices forforming and/or laminating a film element on a carrier part and withpunching and bent devices connected inline downstream;

FIG. 24, schematically shows a top view of the double system shown inFIG. 23;

FIG. 25 schematically shows a perspective view of a further system formanufacturing a molded and/or laminated component with a device forforming and/or laminating a film element onto a carrier part, with aninline upstream adhesive application station and with an inlinedownstream punching and bent station; designed as a double system;

FIG. 26 schematically shows a side view of a device for forming and/orlaminating a film element with a draping frame, wherein the device isequipped, for example, with a device for the automated loading of filmelements;

FIG. 27 shows a schematic top view of a prefabricated film element;

FIG. 28 schematically shows a top view of an optimized cutting patternof a plurality of film elements;

FIG. 29 schematically shows a top view of a first combinedlamination/bent device with bent slides arranged on a draping frame;

FIG. 30 shows a schematic top view of a second combined lamination/bentdevice with bent slides arranged on grippers;

FIG. 31 shows a schematic top view of a fourth combined lamination/bentdevice with bent slides arranged at a lamination station;

FIG. 32 schematically shows a top view of a third combinedlamination/bent device with bent slides arranged on a further framepart;

FIG. 33 schematic supervision of an alternative gripper comprising agripper chassis and a gripper head part with a rotary drive comprising aworm gear; and

FIG. 34 schematically a perspective partial view of a device for formingand/or laminating a film element on a carrier part with segmentedpunching knife segments and sealing slide segments.

According to FIG. 1, a draping frame 1 of the invention is shown as anexample, which carries a plurality of motor-driven grippers 2.

The draping frame 1 has a frame part 3 which is converted to a housing 8at least at its four page areas 4, 5, 6 and 7.

The draping frame 1 is at least partially open at the underside 9 or onthe upper side 10.

More specifically, the housing 8 of the draping frame 1 is open aboveand below a centrally arranged draping room 15 of the draping frame 1,wherein the upper housing side is disassembled with regard to therepresentation according to FIG. 1, to allow a view of the frame part 3and the grippers 2 mounted on it.

The frame part 3 of the draping frame 1 is characterized by somelongitudinal traverses 16 (here only exemplarily quantified) andtransverse traverses 17 (only exemplarily quantified), on which thegrippers 2 are held within the draping frame 1.

In any case, the individual grippers 2 are each mounted on the drapingframe 1 or in the draping room 15 in such a way that the grippers 2contain at least seven degrees of freedom as a result of which a filmelement 20 (see exemplary FIG. 3) can be gripped in an extremelydifferentiated manner and draped and guided within the draping room 15.

The draping room 15 can be heated both from the underside 9 and from theupper side 10 by means of heating devices which can be displaced intothe draping room 15 (not shown here, see for example from FIG. 10onwards).

Such a heating device can basically be introduced into the draping frame1 or the draping room 15 of each side areas 4, 5, 6 or 7, However, thefront side region 6 or the rear side region 7 are preferred for thispurpose.

According to FIG. 2, a gripper 2 of the draping frame 1 is shown as anexample, wherein the gripper 2 has a gripper frame 22, on the front sideof which a gripper head part 24 is arranged, on which the actual gripperjaw elements 25 and 26 of the gripper 2 are mounted.

Such a heating device can basically be introduced into the draping frame1 or the draping room 15 of each side areas 4, 5, 6 or 7, however, thefront side area 6 or the rear side area 7 are preferred for thispurpose.

According to FIG. 2, a gripper 2 of the draping frame 1 is shown as anexample, wherein the gripper 2 has a gripper chassis 22, on the frontside of which a gripper head part 24 is arranged, on which the actualgripper jaw elements 25 and 26 of the gripper 2 are mounted.

While the gripper chassis 22 is mounted on the draping frame 1 with atotal of 6 degrees of freedom, the gripper head part 25 has at least oneadditional degree of freedom with respect to the gripper chassis 22, sothat in particular the gripper jaw elements 26 and 27 have at least 7degrees of freedom in the draping room 15.

It is understood that in the given design of the construction, otherdegrees of freedom combinations between gripper chassis 22 and drapingframe 1 are also possible in relation to the gripper head part 25 andthe gripper chassis 22.

At least in this embodiment, the gripper head part 25 of the gripper 2is three-dimensionally adjustable relative to the gripper chassis 22 ofthe gripper 2. The degrees of freedom achieved at the gripper head part25 in this regard are different from the degrees of freedom of thegripper chassis.

A further special feature of the gripper 2 is that the gripper 2 hastemperature-controlled gripper jaw elements 26 and 27, so that thesegripper jaw elements 26 and 27 can adapt to special conditions orrequirements in terms of temperature with regard to a film element 20 tobe gripped by means of temperature-regulating means 28 which can beactivated.

For example, it is extremely advantageous if at least one of the gripperjaw elements 26 or 27 can be cooled.

A cooled gripper jaw element 26 or 27 is particularly advantageous ifthe film element 20 is provided with adhesive for lamination on acarrier part 30 (see FIG. 3), since the cooled gripper jaw element 26 or27 can form a less intensive bond with the adhesive, as a result ofwhich the cooled gripper jaw element 26 or 27 is significantly lesscontaminated by the adhesive.

In this embodiment, in particular, the lower gripper jaw element 26 inparticular temperature-controllable in the sense of cooling, since onlythis adhesive-containing side of the film element 20 comes intoeffective contact when this film element 20 is inserted into the gripper2.

Furthermore, the gripper 2 is still equipped with tensile forcemeasuring means 29, which are arranged on the gripper head part 25.Tensile forces acting between the film element 20 and the gripper 2 canbe detected and measured by means of the tensile force measuring means29. According to the invention, the gripper 2 can then be moved in thedraping room 15 and in relation to the film element 20 as a function ofthe determined tensile forces in order to avoid critical film stretchingin the sense of the invention.

According to the illustration in FIG. 3, it is shown, for example, howit is possible with the gripper 2, which is movable multi-axially inroom, in particular in areas of the carrier part 30 without undercuts,to unwind the film element 20 merely at the contour 31 of the carrierpart 30.

Preferably, the film element 20 is even completely unwound withouttensile force on the contour 31 of the carrier part 30, such that on theone hand the film element 20 can be laminated in a manner that isparticularly gentle on the material and the surface. On the other hand,the grippers 2 with their seven degrees of freedom can apply the filmelement 20 to the carrier part 30 to be laminated almost withoutstretching or at least with reduced stretching.

According to the simplified illustration in FIG. 3, in particular thegripper head part 25 of the gripper and in particular the gripper jawelements 26 and 27 pass through an approach curve 32, to unwind the filmelement 20 in the simplest case by moving the gripper 2 in the Z- andY-direction onto the carrier part in the sense of the invention withouttensile force.

It is particularly advantageous if the film element 20 can be broughtinto operative contact with the carrier part 25 to be laminated, atleast by means of some of the grippers 2, bypassing an extension orstretching of the film element 20, so that the film element 20 canstretch only very slightly, if at all, at least when it is applied tothe carrier part 30 to be laminated with the grippers 2, so that evenafter laminating the film element 20 on the carrier part 30 on itsvisible surface there is hardly any distortion.

This is particularly advantageous for sensitive, visible surfaces 33 orfor surfaces which have a structure, for example.

For this purpose, according to the illustrations shown in FIGS. 4 to 9,three examples of laminated carrier parts 30 from the automotive sectorare shown, on whose visible surfaces 33 an example grid 35 is applied.

On the basis of the grid 35, it is easy to see that in all automotivecomponents 37, 38 and 39, despite bends and partially existing free-formcontours, hardly any distortions of the grid 35 result. Rather, the filmexpansion is partially limited to 10% to 15%.

A first embodiment example of an advantageous device 50 for formingand/or laminating a film element 20 onto a carrier part 30 isexemplarily shown according to the illustrations in FIGS. 10 to 19 andexplained here, where, on the basis of the individual FIGS. 10 to 19,different method steps on the device 50 are shown as examples.

The basic concept of the device 50 is also relevant for the furtherembodiment examples. In this respect, the device 50 is also described byway of example for the further embodiments in order to avoid repetitionsoverall.

The device 50 is primarily characterized by a frame part 3 of alaminating tool 51, which in this embodiment comprises a draping frame 1having a plurality of motor-driven grippers 2.

The device 50 is further characterized by further components of thelaminating tool 51, which substantially comprise a lower tool 52 and anupper tool 53 (see in particular also FIG. 15).

The draping frame 1 and thus also the grippers 2 are mounted in a frame56 of the device 50 in a height-adjustable manner by means of adisplacement mechanism 55, so that the entire draping frame 1 is mountedon the frame 56 in a height-adjustable manner along a verticaldisplacement axis 57 of the device 50.

The lower tool 52 is placed below the draping frame 1 on a base part 58of the frame 56, wherein the lower tool 52 comprises one or more moldshell parts 59, which in turn are arranged on a base 60 of the base part58.

The upper tool 53, on the other hand, comprises a carrier partreceptacle 63, by means of which one or more carrier parts 30 to belaminated can be introduced automatically, in particular into thedraping frame 1 of the device 50.

In order to automate the insertion of the respective carrier part 30, acorresponding insertion device 65 is provided on the device 50, which inthis embodiment comprises a robot device 70 having a multi-axial movablemanipulator 71.

This robot device 70 with its multi-axial movable manipulator 71 is notonly used to introduce the carrier part 30 to be laminated into thedevice 50, in particular into the draping room 15 of the draping frame1, but moreover also to remove the finished laminated component 37, 38or 39 (see FIGS. 4 to 9), so that the robot device 70 immediately alsorepresents a removal device 75 on the device 50.

Overall, the robot device 70 can be regarded as a common transferstation 78 for the device 50 on the one hand and as a removal device 75on the other hand due to its dual function as an insertion device 65.

Furthermore, the device 50 also has a feeding and/or inserting device 80by means of which one or more film elements 20 can be fed into thedraping frame 1, in such a way that the film element 20 can beimmediately inserted into opened grippers 2, in particular onto thelower gripper jaw elements 26 of the open gripper 2.

For this purpose, the feeding and/or inserting device 80 has a feedingand/or inserting section 81 along which the respective film element 20can be conveyed from a loading position 82 to the draping room 15.

In this case, the feeding and/or inserting device 80 or its feedingand/or inserting section 81 runs transversely to the verticaldisplacement axis 57 of the device 50.

Conversely, this means that the draping frame 1 is arranged such that itcan be displaced transversely to said feeding and/or inserting section81 by means of the displacement mechanism 55.

In this first embodiment, the feeding and/or inserting device 80 ischaracterized in particular by at least one movable heating unit 85 forheating the respective film element 20 outside the draping room 15 ofthe draping frame 1, which has two heating devices 86 and 87.

Here, the heating unit 85 is integrated into the feeding and/orinserting device 80 in such a way that the heating unit 85 can becontinuously moved together with the respective film element 20, whichcan be continuously moved along the feeding and/or insertion section 81in the direction of draping room 15 of draping frame 1.

In this embodiment, the upper heating device 86 and the lower heatingdevice 87 of the heating unit 85 are moved together with the filmelement 20 along the feeding and/or insertion section 81, so that therespective film element 20 can be heated continuously both from aboveand from below.

In particular, the lower heating device 87 is designed in such a waythat the respective film element 20 can be transported from the loadingposition 82 to the draping frame 1 of the device 50 by means of saidlower heating device 87.

According to FIG. 10, a film element 20 is already placed on the lowerheating device 87 and is located on the way to the draping frame 1 bymeans of the movable heating unit 85 from the loading position 82.

While the film element 20 is now heated on both sides by means of theupper heating device 86 and the lower heating device 87, it issimultaneously transported along the feeding and/or insertion section 81together with the heating devices 86 and 87.

The draping frame 1 is located in a feeding position 89 in which thefilm element 20 transported by means of the feeding and/or insertingdevice 80 can be transported to the draping room 15.

Here, the robot device 70 is still in a starting position 90, in whichat least one carrier part 30 to be laminated is received in the carrierpart receptacle 63, namely from a carrier part magazine 100.

According to FIG. 11, the heating unit 85 with the film element 20 islocated shortly before being fed or inserted into the draping frame 1.

According to FIG. 12, the heating unit 85, together with the filmelement 20 heated therewith, is completely retracted into the device 50.

As shown in FIG. 13, the lower heating device 87 moves upwards towardsthe draping frame 1, so that in this insertion position 103 the heatedfilm element 20 can be transferred to the gripper 2 of the draping frame1 or inserted into said grippers 2.

As soon as an adjustable target temperature is reached at the filmelement 20 or in the draping room 15, the heating unit 85 and itsheating devices 86 and 87 return to the loading position 82 in order toaccommodate one or more new film elements 20.

According to FIG. 15, the draping frame 1 with the film element 20draped therein now moves downwards towards the lower tool 52, in themeantime, the carrier part 30 located on the carrier part receptacle 63is positioned above the draping room 15 of the draping frame 1 by meansof the manipulator 71 of the robot device 70.

According to the illustration in FIG. 16, the carrier part 30 to belaminated is now further transferred to the film element 20 by means ofthe manipulator 71 of the robot device 70, so that according to therepresentation according to FIG. 17, the actual vacuum laminatingprocess is finally carried out on the device 50.

After the carrier part 30 has been successfully laminated with the filmelement 20, the robot device 70 removes the finished laminated component37, 38 or 39 from the draping frame 1 and places it in a preferablycooled trimming station 104 (indicated only as an example in FIG. 18),wherein the robot device 70 is in a provision position 105 in which itprovides the finished laminated component 37, 38 or 39 for furtherprocessing or the like on the device 50.

According to FIG. 19, the manipulator 71 of the robot device 70approaches the carrier part receptacle 63 again to the carrier partmagazine 102 in order to pick up the carrier part 30 to be laminatedagain.

At the same time, for a new lamination process, a new film element 20 istransported along the feeding and/or inserting section 81 in thedirection of draping frame 1 by means of the feeding and/or insertingdevice 80, which is simultaneously heated on both sides by means of theheating unit 85.

According to FIG. 20, a first plant design example with a first system107 for producing a molded and/or laminated component 37, 38 or 39 isshown, wherein the first system 107 is an alternative, respectively, thesecond device 108 for forming and/or laminating a film element 20. Moreprecisely, the second device 108 is integrated in the processing line110 of the first system 107, wherein a punching and bent station 114,which is not shown further, is connected to the second device 108 inlineof the processing line 110.

The processing line 110 runs from an input side 111 of the first system107 to an output side 112 of the first system 107.

The second device 108 has substantially the same structure as thepreviously described device 50 from the FIGS. 10 to 19, and the device108 comprises the draping frame 1 with the moto-driven grippers 2movably arranged thereon for gripping the film element 20, the feedingand/or inserting device 80 as well as the removal device 85 with therobot device 70 and the carrier part magazine 100.

In this first plant embodiment, however, the device 108 comprises twoheating units 85 on the feeding and/or inserting device 80 thereof,whereby the cycle times on the alternative device 108 or on the system107 can be advantageously reduced. For example, the cycle times can beless than 40 seconds.

In any case, the film elements 20 are inserted alternately from therespective heating unit 85 into the draping frame 1.

After the respective film element 20 has been laminated onto the carrierpart 30, the respective finished laminated component 37, 38 or 39 (seeFIGS. 4 to 9) are transferred by the robot device 70 to the inlinedownstream and bent station 114, where they are stored for furtherprocessing.

Apart from the two heating units 85, the alternative device 108otherwise has the same structure as the device 50 described in FIGS. 10to 19, so that reference is made to the description of the device 50with regard to a more detailed structure and operation of thealternative device 108.

In the second embodiment shown in FIG. 21, a second System 116 forproducing a molded part or laminated part 37, 38 is shown, in relationto 39, with a processing line 110.

A third device 117 for forming and/or laminating a film element 20 and apunching and bent station 114 connected downstream of said device 117are arranged in said processing line 110, at which an additionaldischarge station 119 for discharging finished laminated components 37,38 and 39 (see FIGS. 4 to 9) with a discharge table 120 is connectedinline with processing line 110. The discharge station 119 achieves ahigher degree of automation at the second System 116.

The third device 117 also has essentially the same structure as thepreviously described device 50 from the FIGS. 10 to 19, and the thirddevice 107 accordingly comprises the draping frame 1 with the arrangedmotor-driven grippers 2 for gripping the film element 20, the feedingand/or inserting device 80 as well as the removal device 85 with therobot device 70 and the carrier part magazine 100.

A third system design example shows FIG. 22, in which a third System 123in its processing line 110 has two feeding and/or inserting devices 80of a fourth device 124 for forming and/or laminating the film element20. The fourth device 124 accordingly also has two heating units 85, sothat here again an advantageous cycle time reduction can be achieved.

This fourth device 124 has substantially the same structure as thedevice 50 from FIGS. 10 to 19 described above. In this respect, thefourth device 124 has the draping frame 1 with the motor-driven grippers2 which are arranged movably thereon and which grip the film element 20,feeding and/or inserting devices 80 in two forms and the removal device85 with the robot device 70 as well as the carrier part magazine 100.

The punching and bent station 114 and the discharge station 119 fordischarging finished laminated components 37, 38 and 39 (see FIGS. 4 to9) are then connected inline downstream of the fourth device 124.

According to FIG. 23, a fourth example of a system design with regard toa double system 126 for producing a molded part or a laminated componentwith two processing lines 110, wherein at the double system 126 allmachines are duplicated.

For example, the double system 126 has two fifth devices 127, whereinevery fifth device 127 has the draping frame 1 with the motor-drivengrippers 2 movably arranged thereon for gripping the film element 20,the feeding and/or inserting device 80 as well as the removal device 85with the robot device 70 and the carrier part magazine 100.

Further, two punching and bent stations 114 and two discharge stations119 are connected in line with the fifth devices 127 of the processinglines 110 at the double system 126, whereby the output rate can bedoubled with in the double system 126.

According to FIGS. 24 and 25, a further double system 130 for producinga molded part or a laminated component 37, 38 or 39 is shown.

This further double system 130 also has two processing lines 110, buthas an adhesive application station 131 in addition to the first doublesystem 126 from FIG. 23 at the input side 111 of the further doublesystem 130.

Due to the two existing processing lines 110, two adhesive applicationlines 132 belong to this adhesive application station 131, whereby thesetwo adhesive application lines 132 are operated by a common adhesiveapplication device 133. For this purpose, the adhesive applicationdevice 133 is equipped with an adhesive application robot 134 having acorresponding application manipulator 135.

The adhesive application device 133 with its adhesive application robot134 is arranged between the two adhesive application lines 132 of theadhesive application station 131, so that both adhesive applicationlines 132 can be reached unproblematic and operated by the adhesiveapplication manipulator 135.

Two sixth devices 136 for forming and/or laminating a film element 20are located downstream of the adhesive application station 131 inaccordance with the two-fold processing lines 110. Here, too, therespective sixth device 136 comprises the feeding and/or insertingdevice 80 for feeding and/or inserting the film element 20 into thedraping frame 1, wherein one in six devices 136 is assigned laterally tothe carrier part magazine 100. Further, the sixth devices 136 each againcomprise the removal device 75 in the form of the robot device 70.

The punching and bent station 114 is again connected downstream of therespective sixth device 136.

On the output side of the further double system 130, the dischargestation 119 is again located on each processing line.

According to FIG. 26, a fully automated system 140 for producing amolded part or a laminated component 37, 38 or 39 is shown, comprising aprocessing line 110 and a seventh device 141 for forming and/orlaminating a molded element 20. This seventh device 141 again hassubstantially the same structure as the previously described device 50of FIGS. 10 to 19.

The seventh device 141 accordingly comprises the draping frame 1 withthe motor-driven grippers 2 movably arranged thereon for gripping thefilm element 20, the feeding and/or inserting device 80 as well as theremoval device 85 with the robot device 70 and the carrier part magazine100.

The fully automated system 140 also has a loading station 142 at itsinput side 111 for feeding the seventh device 141 for forming and/orlaminating the molded element 20.

The loading station 141 has a gripping device 143 for receiving filmelements 20 and depositing these film elements 20 on the feeding and/orinserting section 81.

By means of this loading station 141, film elements 20 can betransferred to the feeding and/or inserting section 81 of the feedingand/or inserting device 80 of the seventh device 141, as far as possiblewithout operating personnel.

This allows the fully automated system 140 to operate with an evenhigher degree of automation.

It is understood that such a loading station 141 can also be connectedupstream of all devices 50, 108, 117, 124, 127 and 136 described above,as well as of systems 111, 116, 123, 126 and 130, in order to savecorresponding operating personnel there as well.

However, this loading station 142 is shown by way of example only withrespect to the fully automated system 140.

According to FIG. 27, a pre-assembled film element 20, as may be used inthe present invention, is schematically represented, while referring toFIG. 28, an optimized cutting pattern 150 is shown with a plurality ofdesignated film elements 20.

These designated film elements 20 can be placed particularly close toeach other and insofar with very little residual film grid material 151in between on the optimized cutting pattern 150, since the film elements20 cut out from this can only be gripped reliably by the grippers 2according to the invention or the draping frame 1 according to theinvention.

This is partly due to the fact that the grippers 2 according to theinvention can be moved in the draping room 15 with seven degrees offreedom, due to the high degree of multi-axial freedom of movement.

According to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 29 to 32, the laminatingdevice is respectively provided with a plurality of bent means 160 orbent slides shown, wherein the bent means 160 are provided at a drapingroom 15 of the device 1.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 29, the bent means 160 are located nextto the grippers 2 attached to the draping frame 1.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 30, the bent means 160 are arranged onthe grippers 2.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 31, the bent means 160 are arranged on aframe (not numerated separately here) of the laminating device.

And in the embodiment shown in FIG. 32, the bent means 160 are locatedon the frame part 3 of the laminating device.

According to FIG. 33, an alternative gripper 170 is shown, which issubstantially the same as the gripper 2 shown in FIG. 2.

The gripper 170 has a gripper chassis 171, on the front side 172 or endface 173 of which a gripper head part 174 is arranged, on which theactual gripper jaw elements 175 and 176 of the gripper 170 are mounted,whereby in the top view only the upper gripper jaw element 176 isvisible here.

The gripper 170 with its gripper head part 174 faces a draping room 15.

The gripper head part 174 has a degree of freedom 177 compared to thegripper chassis 171 and a further degree of freedom 178.

The degree of freedom 177 is provided by the axis of rotation 180 of therotary actuator 181, wherein the rotary actuator 181 includes a wormgear 182. In this respect, the gripper jaw elements 175 and 176 on thegripper head part 174 can be rotated about the axis of rotation 180relative to the gripper chassis 171 in a motorized and automated manner.The axis of rotation 180 is perpendicular to the end face 173, so thatthis is a horizontal axis (not renumbered).

The further degree of freedom 178 results around the vertical axis 185,around which the gripper jaw elements 175 and 176 can be swiveledmanually.

Also clearly visible are coolant connections 187 on the rear sides 188of the gripper jaw elements 175 and 176, to which atemperature-regulating means can be connected in order to allow coolantto flow through the gripper jaw elements 175 and 176.

According to FIG. 34, a further device 190 is provided for formingand/or laminating a film element 20 on a carrier part 30, the device 190comprising a plurality of grippers 2 and/or 170 not shown herein and aswell as a carrier part respectable 63, which is also not shown here andwhich is attached to a manipulator 71 (not shown, upper tool 53) of alaminating tool 51 (also not shown). The device 190 comprises a drapingroom 15 or laminating room 15, in which a lower tool 52 is arranged. Inthis embodiment, the lower tool 52 may include a mold shell part 59 (notshown).

Advantageously, the further device 190 and/or the lower tool 52 of thelatter has both punching knife segments 191 (only numbered here by wayof example) of a punching device 192 and sealing slide segments 194 of asealing device 195 of a pressure difference device which is not shownfurther.

The punching knife segments 191 and the sealing slide segments 194 arearranged next to each other, whereby all punching knife segments 191 andsealing slide segments 194 are individually controllable anddisplaceable, whereby on the one hand punching forces on the otherdevice 190 can be advantageously reduced (punching knife segments 191)and on the other hand a sealing device 195 can be positioned in a moredifferentiated manner and closer to the carrier part 30, whereby anon-negligible amount of film material can be saved overall.

At this point, it should be explicitly pointed out that features of thesolutions described above or in the claims and/or figures can also becombined, if necessary, in order to be able to implement or achieve theexplained features, effects and advantages in a correspondinglycumulative manner.

It is to be understood that the above-described embodiments are merelyfirst embodiments of the invention. In this respect, the design of theinvention is not limited to these embodiments.

All features disclosed in the application documents are claimed to beessential to the invention, provided that they are new individually orin combination with each other compared to the prior art.

LIST OF REFERENCES

-   1 draping frame-   2 motor driven gripper-   3 frame part-   4 left side area-   5 right side area-   6 front side area-   7 rear side area-   8 housing-   9 under side-   10 upper side-   15 draping room and/or laminating room-   16 longitudinal traverses-   17 transverse traverses-   20 film element-   22 gripper chassis/gripper jaw elements-   24 front side-   25 gripper head part-   26 lower gripper jaw elements-   27 upper gripper jaw elements-   28 temperature-regulating-   29 tensile force measuring device-   30 carrier part-   31 contour-   32 approach curve-   33 visible surface-   35 grid-   37 first automotive components and/or laminated components-   38 second automotive components and/or laminated components-   39 third automotive components and/or laminated components-   50 device-   51 laminating tool-   52 lower tool-   53 upper tool-   55 displacement mechanism-   56 frame-   57 vertical displacement axis-   58 base part-   59 shell parts-   60 base-   63 carrier part respectable-   65 insertion device-   70 robot device-   71 manipulator-   75 removable device-   78 transfer station-   80 feeding and/or inserting device-   81 feeding and/or inserting section-   82 loading position-   85 heating unit-   86 upper heating device-   87 lower heating device-   89 feeding position-   90 starting position-   100 carrier part magazine-   103 insertion position-   104 trimming station-   105 provision position-   107 system-   108 second device-   110 processing line-   111 input side-   112 output side-   114 bent station-   116 second system-   117 third device-   119 discharge station-   120 discharge table-   123 third system-   124 forth device-   126 double system-   127 fifth device-   130 further double system-   131 adhesive application station-   132 adhesive application lines-   133 adhesive application device-   134 adhesive application robot-   135 adhesive application manipulator-   136 sixth device-   140 fully automated system-   141 seventh device-   142 loading station-   143 gripping device-   150 cutting pattern-   151 film grit material-   160 bent means and/or bent side-   170 gripper-   171 gripper chassis and/or gripper jaw elements-   172 front side-   173 end face-   174 gripper head part-   175 lower gripper jaw elements-   176 upper gripper jaw elements-   177 degree of freedom-   178 further degree of freedom-   180 axis of rotation and/or horizontal axis-   181 rotary actuator-   182 worm gear-   185 vertical axis-   187 coolant connections-   188 back side-   190 further device-   191 punching knife segments-   192 punching device-   194 sealing slide segments-   195 sealing device

1. A gripper for a device for at least one of forming and laminating afilm element, the gripper comprising: a gripper chassis; at least twogripper jaw elements located opposite one another, arranged to bemovable with respect to one another and configured for gripping the filmelement, wherein the gripper jaw elements are arranged on a gripper headpart of the gripper, and wherein the gripper head part of the gripper ismounted such that it can move with respect to the gripper chassis in atleast with one degree of freedom.
 2. The gripper according to claim 1,wherein the gripper head part of the gripper is configured to be movablewith respect to at least one spatial axis which is different fromspatial axes of the gripper chassis with respect to which the gripperchassis is movable.
 3. The gripper according to claim 1, wherein thegripper head part of the gripper is rotatable about an axis of rotationby means of a rotary drive.
 4. The gripper according to claim 1, whereinan axis of rotation of the gripper head part is arranged perpendicularto an end face of the gripper.
 5. A gripper for a device for at leastone of forming and laminating a film element comprising: at least twogripper jaw elements located opposite one another, configured to movewith respect to one another, and configured for gripping the filmelement, wherein the at least one of the at least two gripper jawelements comprise a temperature-regulating element configured toregulate a temperature of the at least one gripper jaw element.
 6. Thegripper according to claim 5, wherein the least one of the at least twogripper jaw elements further comprises connection interfaces for thetemperature-regulating element.
 7. The gripper according to claim 5,wherein the at least one of the at least two gripper jaw elementsfurther comprises an actively temperature-controllable non-stick contactsurface.
 8. A gripper for a device for at least one of forming andlaminating a film element, the gripper comprising: at least two gripperjaw elements located opposite one another, arranged to move with respectto one another and configured for gripping the film element, and bentelements configured for edgefolding a carrier part laminated with thefilm element.
 9. The gripper according to claim 8, wherein the bentelements are arranged on the gripper jaw elements, and wherein thegripper jaw elements comprise at least two gripper jaw elements whichare arranged opposite to and movable relative to each other.
 10. Thegripper according to claim 8, wherein the bent elements are arranged onat least one of a gripper chassis and on a gripper head part. 11.(canceled)
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 96. The gripperaccording to claim 1, wherein the device comprises a draping frame. 97.The gripper according to claim 3, wherein the rotary actuator comprisesa worm gear.
 98. The gripper according to claim 4, wherein the axis ofrotation of the gripper head is a horizontal axis.
 99. The gripperaccording to claim 5, wherein the device comprises a draping frame. 100.The gripper according to claim 5, wherein the at least one of the atleast two gripper jaw elements comprises an activelytemperature-controlled non-stick contact surface.
 101. The gripperaccording to claim 6, wherein the at least one of the at least twogripper jaw elements further comprises an activelytemperature-controllable non-stick contact surface.
 102. The gripperaccording to claim 101, wherein the at least one of the at least twogripper jaw elements comprises an actively temperature-controllednon-stick contact surface.
 103. The gripper according to claim 8,wherein the device comprises a draping frame.